Parliament House Vista Heritage Management Plan

The NCA is currently reviewing the Parliament House Vista HMP. It is anticipated to be finalised in 2022/23.

The Parliament House Vista is the central designed landscape of Canberra, that expresses the core of the Walter Burley Griffin design vision for Canberra. It is a large, eccentrically shaped area. The southern part is the triangular Parliamentary Zone (excluding new Parliament House), the central part is the Central Basin of Lake Burley Griffin and the fringing parks on the northern shore, and the northern part is the long thin strip of land about Anzac Parade which terminates in a roughly triangular area containing the Australian War Memorial. The dominating landscape feature is the Land Axis running through all of these parts, and there is a broad symmetry to the area about the axis.

Heritage Values

The Parliament House Vista area is a large and complex landscape with a range of values related to its history and historical associations, unique evolving design, aesthetic value, creative achievement and social value. Some of these are of outstanding value to the nation (potential National Heritage) while others are of significant heritage value (Commonwealth Heritage). The area contains many places of recognised and individual heritage significance, many of which contribute to the values of the broader area.

To read more about the Parliament House Vista heritage values, and to view the statutory listing please visit the Australian Heritage Database.

Preparation of a Heritage Management Plan

Under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), all Commonwealth agencies are required to prepare management plans for Commonwealth Heritage listed places under their management. The purpose of this management plan is to identify, protect and manage the heritage values of the Parliament House Vista. This management plan was prepared in accordance with the Commonwealth Heritage management principles and the requirements under the EPBC Act.

This management plan was reviewed by the Australian Heritage Council.

For further information, please contact the NCA on heritage@nca.gov.au or 02 6271 2888.